Roberto Martinez is appoint as the coach of Portugal National Team. Roberto Maritnez former coach of Belgium is now the coach of Portugal leading them to the Euros in two years. Recently Martinez quotes he plans to speak with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Following Belgium's elimination from the World Cup group stage, Martinez, a Spaniard, announced his resignation as manager. He claimed that he had already made up his mind to leave Belgium six years prior and that he would have done so even if they had won the tournament.
It came to an end under his reign, which saw him lead them to the top of the world rankings and third place at the Russian World Cup in 2018. Fernando Santos, who quit after Portugal's shocking quarterfinal loss to Morocco, is being replaced by the 49-year-old.
Reports came out today Roberto Martinez is set to become the new coach of the Portugal National Team.
Roberto Martinez: Short History Snippet
As a player, Martinez was a midfielder who spent the majority of his career in Spain, playing for Real Zaragoza and CD Tenerife. He also played in England for Wigan Athletic and Swansea City. In the dug-out Martínez has managed several clubs, including Swansea City, Wigan Athletic, and Everton in the English Premier League. He has also managed the Belgium national team since 2016. Roberto Martinez is 49 year old and manager 523 football games in total combining club matches and national matches.
Overview of Martinez Belgium Team
Martinez, a 2013 FA Cup champion with Wigan, spent six years as Belgium's manager, helping the country to the top of the international rankings, third place at the World Cup, and the quarterfinals of the Euro 2020 tournament.
They underperformed in Qatar, winning just one of their three games, and were eliminated at the group stage. In total Roberto Martinez coached 79 matches with Belgium and won 56 games and lost 10. Giving him a points per game equal 2.29 points via TransferMarket. Which is a good win percentage of 77.6 percent. However zooming out a bit most of his lost came in 2022 during the international friendly matches. Belgium lost 2 and drew 1 out of 6 matches in total. During the World Cup 2022 Belgium did not have a happy camp with Kevin De Bruyne quoting "they are too old".
Martinez has prior Premier League managerial experience with Swansea, Everton and Wigan Athletic. In total Martizez manager 444 Premier League matches. He got quite a few experience as a manager.
Is It the Right Appointment?
O 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗼 começa agora. 🇵🇹 #VesteABandeira
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) January 9, 2023
The 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 starts Now. 🇵🇹 #WearTheFlag pic.twitter.com/rKpHZvvtAk
It is tough to answer the question right away. As on the one hand, he takes over a Portugal team that advanced to the quarterfinals but lost shockingly to Morocco. Following a season marred by controversy around star veteran player Cristiano Ronaldo.
But on the other hand the group of players Portugal have are talented. Bruno Fernandez, Silva, Felix, Ruben Neves, who are in their prime or entering their prime. Young players such as Rafeal Leao in their racks.
Martinez is in a similar situation when he walk through the doors for Belgium National Team. But somehow after 2018 World Cup, things went south. It could have been with his appoint of being Belgium Technical Director on September 27 2018. During that time the team performance is not on par as being ranked the 2nd best national team.
Maybe Belgium team needed a new voice and a change. Portugal needs someone who is young and energetenic. Who can guide a young team with lots of experience to their first World Cup trophy in 2026. Or even to lift the Euros again. Portugal have the talented players who are technically fanastic but needs a progressive coach with a good track record of winning matches. Just somehow it feels Martinez did not have anything to show of it during his time with Belgium.
